Synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography for the investigation of finishing treatments in historical bowed string instruments

Coating systems in historical bowed string instruments are often multi-layered structures combining several inorganic and organic materials. The experiments performed at the SYRMEP beamline aimed at testing the still unexplored application of micro-CT (micro Computed Tomography) for the investigation of these systems. The experimental settings were optimized for the detection of the main features expected. Two sets of mock-ups and a fragment removed from a cello by Andrea Guarneri were then scanned obtaining impressive images of the most relevant features of the layered structures.